Etna Bianco, 2023 - Monteleone

More about this wine: From two different vineyards, 70% of the Carricante grapes are from Sant’Alfio on the Eastern slopes of Etna, and 30% from Contrada Cuba on the North face of the volcano. Manual harvest of the Carricante grapes in the cool hours of the early morning to preserve freshness. After the destemming, the grapes are gently pressed, and after 48 hours of natural settling, the juice ferments in stainless steel tank using selected yeasts. Aging on the fine lees for 6 months in stainless steel with weekly battonages. 3 months bottle refinement before release.

More about this vineyard: Monteleone is a small, family-run winery, from a pair of passionate young vignerons, husband and wife team, Benedetto and Giulia Monteleone. Giulia has a background as a food and wine writer, while Benedetto is a trained Winemaker and Viticulturalist who studied at the prestigious Università di Enologia di San Michele all’Adige in Alto-Adige. Together they shared a dream of one day owning their own winery and after much research, in 2017 they found themselves the perfect property at the foot of Sicily’s Mount Etna, next to the Alcantara river. The winery started with 2 hectares of vines on the North face of Mount Etna but has since expanded their operations and acquired an additional 5 hectares. On the Northern side of the volcano, they cultivate Nerello Mascalese, Nerello Cappuccio, and Carricante. These vineyards are located in two different areas: 5.5 hectares in Contrada Cuba and 0.5 hectares in Contrada Pontale Palino (very old pre-phylloxera vineyard). On the Eastern side, they have 1 hectare in a town called Sant’Alfio and this is planted with more Carricante. Despite no certification, since the beginning, they have farmed their vineyards organically, and have introduced a plethora of wildflowers as well as bees to encourage biodiversity and maintain their lands natural balance. Fascinated by this unique terroir, the wild and rugged landscape, and complex volcanic soils, they vinify each site separately to highlight the distinct characteristics of these areas. Through thoughtful and precise winemaking, they make beautiful wines which possess a great deal of finesse and elegance. Committed and passionate about capturing the essence of Etna’s terroir in their wines, Benedetto and Giulia Monteleone are promising talents with great potential.